Episode 4.4: Geoengineering

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In this episode, we delve into the world of climate intervention and geoengineering, specifically focusing on solar geoengineering, also known as solar radiation modification (SRM). Host Ryan Katz-Rosene explores the complexities of this technology with two leading experts. First, we hear from Dr. Pete Irvine, as he breaks down the science behind SRM, particularly stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), discusses the potential benefits and risks. Irvine addresses the current state of research and the ongoing debate surrounding field experiments. Then, we shift gears to hear from Dr. Aarti Gupta, who provides a crucial counterpoint, highlighting the voices of many in the academic community and beyond who are deeply concerned about the potential deployment of solar geoengineering. She emphasizes growing opposition from the Global South, the disproportionate impact concerning vulnerable nations and Indigenous communities, and the governance challenges that this technology presents.


Host

Ryan M. Katz-Rosene
Assistant Professor, School of Political Studies, University of Ottawa

Guest

Peter Irvine
Research Assistant Professor, University of Chicago & Editorial Director, SRM360.org

Guest Bios

Guest

Aarti Gupta
Zennström Visiting Professor of Climate Change Leadership, Uppsala University & Professor of Global Environmental Governance, Wageningen University

Guest Bios

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Guest Bios

Peter Irvine:

Dr. Pete Irvine is a research assistant professor at the University of Chicago's department of geophysical science and the editorial director of SRM360.org a non-profit knowledge hub which supports an informed discussion of sunlight reflection methods (SRM). He has been studying the climate response to SRM since 2009 and has over 40 publications on the topic spanning a range of disciplines. He also hosts Climate Reflections, a podcast which hosts discussions of the issues that SRM raises.

Links for hand out: https://srm360.org/podcast/the-geopolitics-of-srm/ 
https://srm360.org/subscribe/

Aarti Gupta: 

Aarti Gupta is Zennström Visiting Professor of Climate Change Leadership at Uppsala University, Sweden and Professor of Global Environmental Governance at Wageningen University, The Netherlands. Her research focuses on accountability and equity in global climate policy and anticipatory global governance of novel technologies, including biotechnology and climate engineering. She is a member of the Scientific Steering Committee of the international Earth System Governance Research Alliance, and a Coordinating Lead Author of its 2018 Science and Implementation Plan. She is principal investigator of the Netherlands Research Council-funded TRANSGOV project on the Transformative Potential of Transparency in Climate Governance, and co-editor of Transparency in Global Environmental Governance (MIT Press). She is a co-initiator and signatory of the academic initiative calling for an International Non-Use Agreement on Solar Geoengineering. Complementing these academic pursuits, Aarti Gupta has also worked for the United Nations Development Programme in New York, Oxfam-Novib in the Hague, and Transparency International in Berlin. She holds a PhD from Yale University.